Molo fiesta to showcase its rich culture
To link the present generation from its past, the St. Anne Parish focuses its fiesta celebration in reviving and discovering the music and showcasing rituals and artifacts that played a major role in the history and spirituality among Moleños.
This year's fiesta theme "Sta.Ana: Manggad sang Kahapon, Bunga sa Karon, Bahandi nga Palanublion" features Angel Magahum's Misa de 2 o 3 para Canto y Organo. It is orchestrated for seven sets of instruments namely violin 1, violin 2, violoncello/bajo, clarinet, flute, cornetines and trombones.
Magahum, known as the Colossus of the Visayan Literature, a playwright, composer and fictionist was born to Ignacio Magahum and Simplicia Merle. He is noted for his contribution in the development of the Hiligaynon language and literature in 1910 to 1930.
Born on October 1, 1867, Magahum is an editor of the Makinaugalingon newspaper, the longest existing Ilonggo newspaper in the country in 1913 founded by philanthropist Rosendo Mejica.
Magahum, also the author of Benjamin, the first novel in Hiligaynon in 1894 and published in 1907 has written 13 masses of which only the Misa de 2 o 3 para Canto y Organo dedicated to San Jose was orchestrated. It reflects his artistry and strong faith to God.
The Mass written by the maestro is a combination of classical and early American popular music especially jazz had its premier in 1895 during the fiesta in Molo with the maestro playing the organ. It was first heard in the Saravia, Negros Occidental in 1900.
The mass which was revived by Ariel Bordon will be heard during the district's fiesta on July 26, 2008, 113 years after its premier in 1895. It took more than eight years to revive and reconstruct Magahum's works. The pre-war manuscripts of the maestro survived the war after his daughter Sol Magahum-Dideles prioritized his father's famous works as they fled evading the bullets and bombs.
Apart from the Mass and Benjamin, Magahum's famous works that made him known in the Ilonggo music and literature are Isa ka Bihag (The Captive), a novel; Euponiya sang Pulong Nga Binisaya (An Euphony of the Visayan Hiligaynon); Palanganinawan (Reflection) and Kahapon kag Karon (Yesterday and Today), his final work that remained unpublished until the present. A street at the junction of Locsin-M.H. Del Pilar was also named after him.
This year's 213th fiesta celebration do not limit only to Magahum's works, as the parish will feature rituals and artifacts that played vital roles in the propagation of the Catholic faith. Among the displays in the exhibit are the chalice veil, incense boat and priestly vestment which ages more than 100 years old. The exhibit which will open Friday is (July 25, 2008) spearheaded by Erwin Chiongson.
The songs and exhibit will add color to the Molo Parish Church, an imposing edifice of massive white corral rock lording over the plaza. It is the only Gothic renaissance church in the entire country outside Manila. The church was dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its larger than life female saints lined in two rows catch the attention of the visitors and tourists.
The "treasures" which is either in form of rituals artifacts and music depicts Molo's rich culture. It will give the present generation a glimpse of the past. It is a legacy for the next generation to take care, said Rev. Fr. Tomas Delicana, parist priest of St. Anne.
These has undeniably a connection to the past even an ordinary person could observe as they set foot in the district, which is also famous for its ancient houses aside from its impressive Molo church, said Delicana.
The ritual artifacts also manifest the strong faith of the Moleños to Jesus Christ, as its redeemer and protector. The priestly vestments to be exhibited will give the young ones the idea how the priest are garbed during those years. They are intricately designed with gold threads, said Delicana.